UOAP question

[lindsmom]

I am sorry as I'm sure this has been discussed. Feel free to direct me to the appropriate thread, but searches haven't gotten me the info I'm looking for.
Looking at purchasing AP's for our trip (which will be 12/23 - 31 but not all at Universal) versus 2 day, 2 park tix. We are staying on property for one overnight 25th and 26th to get express passes.
It would cost approx $180 more for our party of 4.
Questions:
Are we likely to get a return or at least break even on the extra $150? We will be staying on property for one overnight so possibly a AP rate but not holding my breath for it as xmas week.
Do passholders get entry when parks reach capacity?
I understand food and merch discounts. Parking discount wouldn't apply unless we decide to revisit while we are there. Any other perks while we would be there that I'm missing?

I'm just trying to justify the cost of one extra family meal. TIA.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

In case you didn't know, blackout dates for the 2 cheapest passes (Seasonal & Power) include December 18–31, 2021.

However, you would only need the one AP for the hotel discounts, and don't need to make that decision until you know whether you're able to book an AP rate.

If you end up getting Preferred passes, you get early entry which more or less guarantees entry if you utilize it. Otherwise, I have not heard that APs get priority entrance on capacity days.

 

[only hope]

Staying on property gets you priority entry, regardless of ticket type. AP’s do not, though the early entry is a help on extremely crowded days where capacity is hit before official park open- but hotel guests get early entry too. You could get one AP for the group and have that person pay for everything to get the discounts.

 

[shawthorne44]

As long as a ticket isn't finished (meaning you still have time left) you can upgrade a ticket to a pass during your trip. Some people are one-and-done with Universal. You guys might be like that. Our family is fans. DD was disappointed when I told her that our next trip will be our last visit to Universal.

We'd originally bought AP's planning on a Feb 2020 Universal only trip and a Jan 2021 Disney trip with some Universal days. I read that idea in one of the guidebooks. Plan a second trip 11-ish months after your first to get two trips in even when you only do one vacation a year. Although, if you straight out buy passes before the end of the month you could get the 15 month deal.

The Jan 2021 Disney trip is postponed to Jan 2022 but in a month we are going again for a our third trip and passes don't expire until August.

We got Preferred for all us. Staying offsite our first trip, we saved more than enough money to upgrade everyone to get Early Entry. We were going to get one preferred regardless for the free parking. Although preferred early entry has blackout dates for the super busy days which probably includes your trip.